Electronic value transfer device equipped with non-contact IC interface

ABSTRACT

An electronic value transferring device such as a high speed and large capacity computer or mobile terminal device is disclosed that can function as a contactless IC card performing electronic value operations. The device is connectable to an IC card that performs electronic value operations, and includes a microprocessor for transmitting and receiving data to and from the IC card: an interface circuit for providing an IC card interface to allow the IC card to send and receive electronic values to and from other IC cards by radio; an antenna; and the microprocessor having a memory for temporarily storing plural electronic values.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an electronic valuetransferring device such as a computer or a mobile terminal device,which has a contactless IC card interface, and particularly relates toelectronic value transferring devices functioning as virtual IC cardshaving a large capacity memory.

BACKGROUND ART

Valuable physical papers such as concert tickets, train tickets, airtickets and so on are very convenient transaction media, which arephysically exchanged for transactions. However, these valuable papersare easily copied and forged, and therefore a new alternative electronictransaction media is desired.

FIG. 1 generally shows a distribution platform in which contactless ICcards are used for distributing electronic values. Electronic values arestored in memories in IC cards, and when a user receives an electronicvalue from a server or exchanges it with another user, IC cards performauthentication directly with each other and directly exchange anelectronic value without going via a server or a terminal memory.

A generating server 11 generates electronic values by request and storesthem in an IC card 10 provided in the generating server 11. Thegenerated and stored electronic values are transmitted to an issuingserver 13 by request. The issuing server 13 has an IC card 12 connectedthereto, which has dual contact and contactless interfaces for storingelectronic values. The electronic values transmitted from the generatingserver 11 are forwarded to the IC card 12 connected to the issuingserver 13, and stored in an EEPROM in the IC card 12.

A user uses a mobile phone 43 to send information of a ticket he wantsto buy, to a sales server 15, where settlement processing is done. Therequested issuing server 13 issues an electronic value to the user'smobile phone 43. When issuing the electronic value, the IC card 12performs direst authentication with an IC card 42 in the mobile phone43, and the issues the electronic value.

Alternatively, the user can bring an IC card 52 to the sales server 13,and pay a charge to have an electronic value issued and transferred tothe IC card 52. That is, the IC card 12 in the sales server 13 cancontactless-communicate directly with the IC card 52 and transferelectronic values.

How to transfer an electronic value is as follows. The IC card 12 in theissuing server 13, and the IC card 42 in the user's mobile phone 43 orthe IC card 52 establish radio communication, perform authenticationdirectly with each other, and after authentication the IC card 12 sendsthe electronic value directly to the IC card 42, 52. After theelectronic value is transferred to the IC card 42, 52, the user can usethe electronic value in situ. For example, the user can pass through anentrance to a train station, or go into a concert theater, etc. Once theuser uses the electronic value, it is gone (deleted).

According to a platform like this, it is possible to avoid problems suchas copying, losing and altering electronic values, or inconsistency (theexistence of two same electronic values at transmitter and receiver.).That is, by employing a platform like the above, electronic values canbe distributed safely and surely, to realize transaction of electronicvalues on a digital network.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the contactless IC card 12, 42, 52 thatperforms electronic value operations. The IC card 22 shown in FIG. 2 isa network-compatible card having an encrypting function. An IC chip 20built into the IC card 22 includes a microprocessor 28 having a CPU 21,a ROM 27, a RAM 23 and an EEPROM 25. Received electronic value data arestored in the EEPROM 25. The IC chip further includes an RF interfacecircuit 24. The IC chip 20 establishes ISO 14443 contactlesscommunication with external devices via a built-in antenna 26 which isnormally a coil antenna. After the establishment of the contactlesscommunication, received data are sent from the RF interface circuit 24to the microprocessor 28. The microprocessor 28 processes and stores thereceived data. When transmitting, after the establishment of thecontactless communication, an electronic value is transmitted from themicroprocessor 28 via the antenna 26 to the outside. In this manner, itis realized to send and receive electronic values. It is normal toprovide power to the IC chip 20 from the outside via the antenna 26.

These kinds of contactless IC cards have individual IDs. Whentransacting information among IC cards, first they establishcontactless-communication directly with each other if they are inproximity with each other, and they establish communication utilizinganother communication medium if they are away from each other. Next,they perform authentication with each other using their IDs. Afterauthentication, they send and receive data directly with each other.When transacting electronic values between two IC cards in this manner,servers and mobile phones are merely communication media. IC cardsauthenticate directly with each other, and transact electronic valuesbetween memories in the IC cards. The mobile terminal device into whichthe IC card is inserted merely provides the communicating medium ordisplays or selects processing, but does not perform actual encryption,authentication or transaction of values.

By the way, the issuing server 13 functions equivalent to real worldsales organizations, and sometimes has to sell a large amount ofelectronic values. In this case, an IC card 12 by itself does not haveenough memory capacity or a high enough CPU speed to store and send alarge amount of electronic values at the same time. When some userstores a large amount of electronic values and transmits them to otherusers, the IC card itself has similar capacity problems.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications 2000-113148 and 2000-172814disclose prior contact/contactless combination IC cards.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an electronicvalue transferring device such as a high speed and large capacitycomputer or mobile terminal device that can function as a contactless ICcard performing electronic value operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicvalue device such as a computer or mobile terminal device that canfunction as a virtual high speed and large capacity IC card by beingcombined with a contactless IC card.

Features and advantages of the present invention are set forth in thedescription that follows, and in part will become apparent from thedescription and the accompanying drawings, or may be learned by practiceof the invention according to the teachings provided in the description.Objects as well as other features and advantages of the presentinvention will be realized and attained by the electronic valuetransferring device particularly pointed out in the specification insuch full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable a person havingordinary skill in the art to practice the invention.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, theinvention provides as follows:

According to one feature of the present invention, there is provided anelectronic value transferring device comprising: an interface that issubstantially the same as an interface for a platform for communicatingdirectly between contactless IC cards that perform electronic valueoperations; and a memory for storing a large amount of electronicvalues.

According to another feature of the present invention, there is provideda computer comprising: an interface that is substantially the same as aninterface for a platform for communicating directly between contactlessIC cards that perform electronic value operations.

According to another feature of the present invention, there is providedan electronic value transferring device connectable to an IC card thatperforms electronic value operations, comprising: a microprocessor fortransmitting and receiving data to and from the IC card; an interfacecircuit for providing an IC card interface to allow the IC card to sendand receive electronic values to and from other IC cards by radio; anantenna; and the microprocessor having a memory for temporarily storinga plurality of electronic values.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 generally shows a distribution platform of electronic values towhich the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a contactless IC card that performselectronic value operations.

FIG. 3 shows an electronic value processing apparatus of a ticket salesprovider according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a mobile phone terminal as an electronicvalue transferring device according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, embodiments of the present invention are describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows an electronic value processing apparatus 60 of a ticketsales provider according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theelectronic value processing apparatus 60 comprises an electronic valueissuing server 13, to which electronic values generated by an externalelectronic value generating server 11 are transferred. An IC card in theelectronic issuing server 13 can perform security operational processingsuch as encryption of electronic values. When issuing and transferringwith high speed a large amount of electronic values to users who boughttickets, an IC card itself does not have enough capacity to issue withhigh speed a large amount of electronic values. Therefore, a computer 70is used as an electronic value transferring device, to realize highspeed and large capacity processing.

The computer 70 comprises an interface that is substantially the same asan IC card interface for a communication platform among contactless ICcards processing electronic values. The computer 70 further comprises amemory for storing a large amount of electronic values. Thereby radiocommunication in this distribution platform can be established betweenan IC card 72 connected to the computer 70 and other contactless ICcards 52. The computer 70 comprises a microprocessor 78 including a CPU71 and memories such as a ROM 77, a RAM 73 and an EEPROM 75, an RFinterface circuit 74 and an antenna 76 to make sure of the radiocommunication between the connected IC card 72 and other contactless ICcards 52. In this manner, the computer 70 contains a large amount ofelectronic values, transfers them with high speed, and functions as ahigh speed and large capacity virtual IC card. The computer 70 can havea security operational processing part for performing encryption andothers and maintain security in this distribution system.

A procedure for transferring electronic values is explained below indetail. First, a processing for issuing and storing electronic values isexplained. The computer 70 as an electronic value transferring devicehas an interface equivalent to an IC card capable of directlycommunicating and has a memory. The memory includes an ID or certificateutilized in performing mutual authentication with other IC cards. Whenit is necessary to analyze (use) the memory in the computer 70, the ICcard 72 is connected and its ID or certificate is stored in the memoryin the computer 70. When storing the electronic values generated by thegenerating server 11, authentication is performed and communication isestablished between an IC card in the generating server 11 and the ICcard interface in the computer 70, and then the electronic values arestored into the memory in the computer 70 through the IC card interface.

Next, processing for transferring the electronic values is explained.This time, the computer 70 communicates with a contactless IC card 52with radio (contactless) communication. An accessing IC card 52 and theIC card interface in the computer 70 perform mutual authentication andestablish communication. After the establishment, an electronic valuestored in the memory in the computer 70 is sent via the IC interface tothe IC card 52.

In this manner, it is possible to send/receive electronic values using acomputer having higher speed and larger capacity than IC cards.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a mobile phone terminal 80 as anelectronic value transferring device according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention. The terminal is not limited to a mobile phoneterminal but can be any type of mobile terminal that includes acontactless IC card interface, communicating function and large capacityof memory. To the mobile phone terminal 80, a contactless IC card 82having a contact terminal is inserted and electrically connected. The ICcard 82 can perform security operational processing such as encryptionof electronic values. The mobile phone terminal 80 can make the IC card82 communicate with an IC card in an external generating server 53, byutilizing its common function or additional structure. For example, themobile phone terminal 80 comprises a microprocessor 88 having a CPU 81and memories such as a ROM 87, a RAM 83, an EEPROM 85, an RF circuit 84,an interface circuit 89 having an IC card interface, and an antenna 50.Thereby, the IC card 82 can perform data communication with externaldevices.

For example, in a case where a problem occurs in issuing electronicvalues because of low capacity/low speed of the IC card in thegenerating server 53, a large amount of electronic values may be storedin the EEPROM 85 in the microprocessor 88 in the mobile phone terminal80, and processed with high speed. In this manner, security operationalprocessing such as encryption is still handled by the IC card 82, andtherefore security is maintained; only the processing requiring highspeed depends on the mobile phone terminal.

A procedure for transferring electronic values is explained below indetail. First, processing for issuing and storing electronic values isexplained. The mobile phone terminal 80 as an electronic valuetransferring device has an interface equivalent to an IC card capable ofdirectly communicating and has a memory. The memory includes an ID orcertificate utilized in performing mutual authentication with other ICcards. In order to analyze (use) the memory in the mobile phone terminal80, the IC card 82 is connected and its ID or certificate is stored inthe memory in the mobile phone terminal 80. When storing the electronicvalues generated by the generating server 53, authentication isperformed and communication is established between an IC card in thegenerating server 53 and the IC card interface in the mobile phoneterminal 80, and then the electronic values are stored in the memory inthe mobile phone terminal 80 through the IC card interface. Since thereis a possibility of the memories in the mobile phone terminal 80 beinganalyzed (compromised), the IC card 82 in the mobile phone terminal 80has a secret key, performs encrypting processing, and then stores theelectronic value in the memory. The electronic value is safely stored inthe memory by this processing.

Next, processing for transferring the electronic values is explained.This time, the mobile phone terminal 80 communicates with a contactlessIC card 52 with radio phone communication. An accessing IC card 52 andthe IC card interface in the mobile phone terminal 80 perform mutualauthentication and establish communication. After the establishment, anelectronic value stored in the memory in the mobile phone terminal 80 issent via the IC interface to the IC card 52. An encrypted electronicvalue can be decrypted in the IC card 82 and returned to the memory tobe transmitted.

In this manner, it is possible to send/receive electronic values using amobile terminal having higher speed and larger capacity than IC cards.

Examples of electronic values are event tickets, commuter passes, traintickets, air tickets, electronic books, music, software, passports,driver's licenses, and so on.

As explained above, according to the embodiments of the presentinvention, by providing a contactless interface to electronic valuetransferring devices such as computers and mobile terminal devices,direct communication is possible between the electronic valuetransferring devices and IC cards, like direct communication between ICcards. Thereby, instead of IC cards, computers or mobile terminaldevices can be used as virtual IC cards for issuing and storing a largeamount of electronic values. In this manner, it is possible to issue andtransfer a large amount of electronic values with high speed in anelectronic value distribution platform, whose speed and capacity areseveral dozen times of those of normal IC cards.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, butvariations and modifications may be made without departing from thescope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic value transferring device connectable to an IC card that performs an electronic value operation, comprising: a microprocessor for wired transmitting and receiving data to and from the IC card; an interface circuit for providing an IC card interface to allow the IC card to receive an electronic value from an external server by radio; an antenna; and the microprocessor having a memory for temporarily storing a plurality of the electronic values and transferring the stored electronic values to another external IC card.
 2. The electronic value transferring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic value transferring device is a mobile station of a cellular phone system.
 3. The electronic value transferring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic value transferring device is a computer.
 4. The electronic value transferring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connectable IC card is a contactless IC card.
 5. An electronic value transferring device connectable to an IC card that performs an electronic value operation, comprising: a microprocessor configured to perform wired to transmission and reception of data to and from the IC card; an interface circuit configured to provide an IC card interface to allow the IC card to receive an electronic value from an external server by radio; and an antenna, wherein the microprocessor includes a memory configured to temporarily store a plurality of the electronic values and to transfer the stored electronic values to another external IC card.
 6. The electronic value transferring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the electronic value transferring device is a mobile station of a cellular phone system.
 7. The electronic value transferring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the electronic value transferring device is a computer.
 8. The electronic value transferring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connectable IC card is a contactless IC card. 